Machine, Welding and Industrial Mechanics program blessing dedication

Ceremony honors U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye

The Machine, Welding and Industrial Mechanics Program at Hawaiʻi Community College held a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony to honor U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye for his service to Hawaiʻi CC and to bless the new machinery for the program.

“We wanted to recognize Senator Inouye for his many years of unduplicated service and support to Hawaiʻi Community College and to the state,” said Chancellor Rockne Freitas. “The funding generated through U. S. Senator Inouye’s office has been invaluable in the development of the MWIM Tech Program.”

The most recent Rural Development Project (RDP) Grant of $315,421 will expand the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Option in the program to include an associate of applied science in RAC. There has been more than $600,000 in RDP funding that created additional career choices for students to pursue as well as to fulfill the workforce training needs of the Big Island community.

The Welding and Sheet Metal Program began 10 years ago in fall 1999. Changing the name to MWIM Tech Program created a common-core curriculum with options for specialization in different occupations in the manufacturing, installation, maintenance, construction and related groups of occupations.